Seagate Technology Incorporated

Richard Kendle Thompson

Robert A Alt

Frank William Bernett

John Francis Fletcher

Aaron Steve Macpherson

Tave Joseph Fruge

William J Bryan

As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an electrical connector such as a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) connector is sealed to an opening in a base deck having bottom and/or side walls that define a cavity. A mechanical component is coupled to balance forces applied to opposing surfaces of the electrical connector, which can mitigate the application of high forces to connector pins and/or to the connector itself. Further, this balancing may be implemented to maintain a controlled bias force against the connector. The electrical connector may, for example, be hermetically sealed to the opening by a seal such as a gasket, epoxy or other material, which may be included in the electrical connector.

Electrical connector with force balancing

A shroud feature and method for incorporating an airflow shroud feature in a disc drive assembly. The airflow shroud feature is connected to the cover of the disc drive rather than the base plate. When the disc drive cover incorporating the shroud feature is placed on the disc drive, the shroud feature surrounds at least a portion of the circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the disc to reduce turbulence when the disc is operated. The shroud is rigidly connected to the top cover by engagement of the shroud with a physical feature of the top cover. The shroud operably directs air-flow along the peripheral edge of the disc during drive operation when the cover is installed on the base plate.

Top cover shroud for a disc drive

Apparatus for clamping a plurality of axially spaced, rotatable elements such as a stack of actuator arms or magnetic storage discs in a disc drive. The rotatable elements are coupled to respective housings for rotation at a respective radius about associated, stationary shafts by bearing assemblies. As used in an actuator assembly, an actuator shaft bearing housing is inserted into an opening in each of the actuator arms and a clamp fastener exerts a clamping force on the actuator arms so as to secure the actuator arms relative to the actuator shaft bearing housing. The clamp fastener comprises a clamp fastener cylinder with an exterior surface which is fixably attached to a corresponding interior surface of the actuator shaft bearing housing. The clamping force is exerted by a clamp disc protruding in a radial direction from the clamp fastener cylinder, beyond the radius of the actuator shaft bearing housing. The clamp fastener can be used in a similar fashion to clamp a stack of magnetic storage discs in place around a spindle motor housing.

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Longmont, CO, United States of America

Richard Kendle Thompson